The Most Common 2016 Chevrolet Equinox Problems
Electrical issues, windshield wiper malfunction, and engine issues are all things to look out for with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Here are the details.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The most common problems reported with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox are engine and windshield wiper problems, as well as electrical troubles.
The 2016 Chevy Equinox was one of many options in the crowded field of small SUVs and crossovers, and while it’s an okay vehicle, most reviewers placed it at the rear of the pack. The 2016 Equinox was around $35,000 when it was new, and today a used one will cost around $12,000 to $18,000 depending on mileage, trim level, and options.
If you bought an Equinox new in 2016 or are considering purchasing a used one, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some potential problems that you might have. That’s why
Jerry
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easy, has put together this guide to the common problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. And before we’re done, we’ll give you some tips on how to lower your Chevrolet Equinox insurance cost
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The most common 2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems
As a five-passenger small SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox had a lot of competition in 2016. Most reviewers found it serviceable enough, but nothing to write home about. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has registered 196 complaints for the 2016 Equinox, and the majority of them are split between two categories:
- Engine (71)
- Windshield wiper/visibility (68)
A large number of engine-related complaints have to do with oil issues—massive oil leaks, faulty seals, and excessive oil consumption. In some cases, this resulted in severe engine damage and a sudden loss of power while operating the vehicle. This seems to be a widely-reported and known issue with the 2016 Equinox, and needless to say is a considerable safety concern.
The other big problem area was reported issues with the windshield wipers. At first glance, this may not seem like that big of a deal, but there were several reports of windshield wipers completely failing during severe downpours, causing the driver to have to pull over and/ or stick their head out the window in order to see the road ahead. Not so minor, and potentially very dangerous.
Complaints were also made about the Equinox’s electrical system. Drivers reported a host of electrical issues, including dashboard lights that wouldn’t go off and total failure of some components like the infotainment screen and dashboard displays. Several people reported electrical burning smells, and things like the heating and cooling system turning itself on and off.
There was one recall issued for the 2016 Equinox, and that had to do with some information on the vehicle’s label. The tire and rim size was incorrect, which could potentially lead to people installing the wrong tires or wheels—which could increase the likelihood of an accident. That being said, this apparently only affected Equinoxes manufactured on October 16, 2015.
You can check if an Equinox is subject to the recall by entering the VIN in the NHTSA’s
recall system
. Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Despite all of the reported issues, J.D. Power still gives the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox a 90/100 when it comes to reliability and gave it an eyebrow-raising number-one spot in compact SUVs that year.
RepairPal gave the 2016 Equinox a 3.5/5, which is an above-average score. However, they ranked it 23rd out of 26 for compact SUVs when it comes to reliability.
So what to make of this? Well, while the 2016 Equinox isn’t the worst thing on the road, it certainly won’t be winning any awards when it comes to reliability. When you take into account the number of impressive compact SUVs out there, the 2016 Equinox looks pretty paltry by comparison.
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